Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel said on Friday that veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be rested from the team’s next two games, with Alphonse Areola set to start against Angers and Nimes.
Buffon, who arrived from Juventus on a free transfer this summer, started in PSG’s first three games of the season, the Trophee des Champions win over Monaco as well as Ligue 1 victories over Caen and Guingamp.
However, the 40-year-old is suspended for the first three games of the Champions League this season following the ban he earned last season when protesting a penalty award as Juve were knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Thus, Areola will get two games to regain full match fitness ahead of the team’s European opener, which will take place on either September 18 or 19.
“Alphonse will play against Angers and Nimes,” Tuchel explained. “After that, we will see. I am not making any long-term decisions – Alphonse needs to play.
“Gianluigi has put in three magnificent performances, so I am not dropping him. Rather, it is important in this preparatory phase that Alphonse is given a chance to play and that he adapts to the team.”
